Eric Johnson Venus Isle CD

Live Recording

Personnel: Eric Johnson (vocals, classical, electric & lap steel guitars, piano, synthesizers); Amit Chatterjee (vocals); Jimmie Vaughan (guitar); Richard Kilmer, Bruce Williams, Jennifer Bourianoff, Anthony Stogner (strings); Scott McIntosh (trumpet); Steve Barber (Hammond B-3 organ, synthesizer); Kyle Brock, Roscoe Beck, Chris Maresh (bass); Bill Maddox (drums); Tommy Taylor (drums, percussion); Chris Searles, James Fenner (percussion); Christopher Cross (background vocals).
Recorded at Saucer Studios, Austin, Texas.
"Pavilion" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. "S.R.V." was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
Personnel: Eric Johnson (vocals, guitar, lap steel guitar, classical guitar, piano, synthesizer, guitar synthesizer); Christopher Cross, Amit Chatterjee (vocals); Jimmie Vaughan (guitar); Bruce Williams , Jennifer Bourianoff, Anthony Stogner (strings); Scott McIntosh (trumpet); Steve Barber (synthesizer); Tommy Taylor (drums, percussion); Bill Maddox (drums); James Fenner, Chris Searles (percussion).
Audio Mixer: Richard Mullen .
Liner Note Author: Vince Mariani.
Recording information: A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA (1996); Arlyn Studios, Austin, TX (1996); Digital Services Recording (1996); Reelsound Recording (1996); Rocket Ranch (1996); Saucer Studios, Austin, TX (1996).
Illustrator: Max Crace.
Photographers: Park Street; Max Crace.
Arrangers: Eric Johnson ; Vince Mariani; Kyle Brock; Steve Barber; Tommy Taylor.
Eric Johnson is notorious for his perfectionism, but the six-year wait between his breakthrough Ah! Via Musicom and its follow-up Venus Isle seems a little extravagant, especially considering the resulting album. In six years, it could be assumed that an artist would undergo a number of different phases, exploring several different musical genres and textures. Johnson didn't spend his six years exploring -- he spent them refining. Venus Isle reveals no new insights about the guitarist, it only offers a new spin on the territory Ah! Via Musicom covered. In one respect, this isn't a bad thing. Johnson is a consummate guitarist, pulling out tones and licks from his instrument that no other musician can quite match. It is a joy to hear him play, but Venus Isle nevertheless seems like a lost opportunity because he never departs from his standard bag of tricks. There are the occasional jazzy grooves, a handful of blues, several fusion numbers, and a few stabs at prog rock -- all of the things that distinguished the album's predecessor. With playing as stylish and distinctive as Johnson's, it may seem churlish to complain about the lack of innovation, but given the large span of time between albums, it should have been more adventurous and unique. Venus Isle would have been a perfect follow-up if it had been released in 1992 or 1993, but it has to rank as a disappointment, no matter how enjoyable portions of it are. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
The brilliant musician, composer, and guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson comes shining through with a record breathing with aura of romance, sweeping melodicisms, and breathtaking mystical quality. Venus Isle, released by Capitol records gave a genuine and much deserved positive boost to the popularity and image of Johnson. This is certainly is most enduring and captivating work since his grammy nominated gem, Cliffs of Dover. The songs are stringed together perfectly and spontaneously glide in and out of other, and the album as a whole sizzles with musical quality throughout. Venus Isle is a bold, haunting opening track that gracefully flows into the following song, Battle We Have Won. All About You, perhaps the song that most fits the mold as a radio-friendly single, is a romantic song filled with shimmering scale passages and Johnson's signature guitar tone. This song closely reflects through style and grace a reminiscence of Cliffs of Dover. Track four isEntertainment Weekly (9/6/96, p.76) - "...Here lies layer upon layer of pure, high-caloric sonic nourishment: fat, gorgeous melodies and hair-raising feats of digital (as in fingers, not bytes) dexterity." - Rating: A-